[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 42 (Thursday, March 4, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10441-10442]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-5356]


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 Notices
                                                 Federal Register
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
 and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, 
 delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
 statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
 appearing in this section.
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  Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 42 / Thursday, March 4, 1999 / 
Notices  

[[Page 10441]]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service
[FV-99-329N]


United States Standards for Grades of Canned Whole Kernel (Whole 
Grain) Corn

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the Department of 
Agriculture (USDA) is soliciting comments on its proposal to change the 
United States Standards for Grades of Canned Whole Kernel (Whole Grain) 
Corn. Specifically, USDA is proposing to provide for the ``individual 
attributes'' procedure for product grading with sample sizes, 
acceptable quality levels (AQL's), tolerances and acceptance numbers 
(number of allowable defects); include varietal types of supersweet and 
genetically modified varieties in the grade standards; replace dual 
grade nomenclature with single letter grade designations; remove the 
recommended minimum drained weight criteria from the grade standards 
and provide the criteria in the grading manual; remove the score sheet 
for canned whole kernel corn; and make minor editorial changes.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before May 3, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit their written 
comments to Karen L. Kaufman, Processed Products Branch, Fruit and 
Vegetable Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, STOP 0247, P.O. Box 96456; Washington, DC 20090-6456; fax 
(202) 690-1087; or e-mail [email protected].
    Comments should reference the date and page of this issue of the 
Federal Register. All comments received will be made available for 
public inspection at the address listed above during regular business 
hours. The current United States Standards for Grades of Canned Whole 
Kernel (Whole Grain) Corn, along with the proposed changes, are 
available either through the address cited above or by accessing AMS's 
Home Page on the Internet at: www.ams.usda.gov/standards/vegcan.htm.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karen L. Kaufman at (202) 720-5021.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 203(c) of the Agricultural Marketing 
Act of 1946, as amended, directs and authorizes the Secretary of 
Agriculture ``to develop and improve standards of quality, condition, 
quantity, grade and packaging and recommend and demonstrate such 
standards in order to encourage uniformity and consistency in 
commercial practices. * * *'' Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is 
committed to carrying out this authority in a manner that facilitates 
the marketing of agricultural commodities and makes copies of official 
standards available upon request. The United States Standards for 
Grades of Canned Whole Kernel Corn do not appear in the Code of Federal 
Regulations but are maintained by USDA. Copies of official standards 
are available upon request.
    Specifically, AMS proposes to change the United States Standards 
for Grades of Canned Whole Kernel (Whole Grain) Corn using procedures 
that appear in Part 36 of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations (7 
CFR Part 36). AMS is proposing to provide for the ``individual 
attributes'' procedure for product grading with sample sizes, 
acceptable quality levels (AQL's), tolerances and acceptance numbers 
(number of allowable defects); include varietal types of supersweet and 
genetically modified varieties in the grade standards; replace dual 
grade nomenclature with single letter grade designations; remove the 
recommended minimum drained weight criteria from the grade standards 
and provide the criteria in the grading manual; remove the score sheet 
for canned whole kernel corn; and make minor editorial changes. These 
changes will allow for a more equitable marketing environment for 
domestic whole kernel corn processors.
    AMS received a petition from the National Food Processors 
Association (NFPA), requesting that the U.S. grade standards for canned 
whole kernel corn be revised. NFPA represents over 550 food industry 
companies 1.
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    \1\ Source--USDA, NASS, ASB
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    NFPA specifically requested that the U.S. grade standards for 
canned whole kernel corn, which are currently based on cumulative score 
points, be modified by converting the U.S. grade standards to 
statistically-based individual attributes grade standards, similar to 
the U.S. grade standards for canned green and wax beans (58 FR 4295, 
January 14, 1993).
    In addition, NFPA requested the grade standards include other 
varietal types i.e., supersweet and genetically modified sweet corn. 
These newer varieties possess flavor, tenderness, and maturity 
characteristics that vary somewhat from conventional corn. The proposed 
revision of the grade standards would include the quality 
characteristics for these varietal types, for example, appearance, cut, 
flavor and odor, tenderness and maturity, extraneous vegetable 
material, specified defects, seriously damaged kernels, damaged kernels 
and pulled kernels.
    Another proposed change would replace dual grade nomenclature with 
single letter designations. ``U.S. Grade A'' (or ``U.S. Fancy''), 
``U.S. Grade B'' (or U.S. Extra Standard), and ``U.S. Grade C'' (or 
``U.S. Standard'') would become ``U.S. Grade A,'' ``U.S. Grade B,'' and 
``U.S. Grade C'', respectively.
    NFPA also proposed removing the recommended minimum drained weight 
criteria from the grade standards and relocating it in the Grading 
Manual for Canned Whole Kernel Corn since drained weight, as such, is 
not a factor of quality for the purpose of these grades.
    This proposed revision would remove the ``Score sheet for canned 
whole kernel (or whole grain) corn and canned whole kernel (or whole 
grain) vacuum pack corn'', from the U.S. grade standards since this 
scoresheet is not needed for individual attributes-type grade standard.
    This proposed change includes minor editorial changes and provides 
a uniform format consistent with recent revisions of other U.S. grade 
standards. In addition, this format has been designed to provide 
industry personnel and agricultural commodity graders with simpler and 
more comprehensive standards.

[[Page 10442]]

    AMS has reviewed the petitions and data submitted, gathered 
information from government and industry resources and is proposing to 
revise the standards based on the recommended changes.
    A 60 day comment period is provided for interested persons to 
comment on changes to the standards.

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621-1627.

    Dated: February 26, 1999.
Robert C. Keeney,
Deputy Administrator, Fruit and Vegetable Programs.
[FR Doc. 99-5356 Filed 3-3-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P